Located in the north-central part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Diocese of Buta was erected in 1959 and covers an area of 60,000 km². It has a population of about 380,000 inhabitants, of whom about 219,000 are Catholics. At the pastoral level, the Diocese has 17 parishes, of which only 5 have assigned priests while the rest are served by catechists. As for pastoral agents, there are 9 diocesan priests, a group of personnel from the Congregation of Augustinian Fathers, some Fidei Donum priests, and, recently, the Missionaries of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. There is also a Diocesan Congregation of indigenous women "Filles de Marie Servantes de Buta", which now has about 30 sisters.
As for the formation of local-indigenous clergy, the Minor Seminary of Ibembo was established when Buta was still an Apostolic Vicariate. After the 1964 rebellion, the Seminary was closed and has remained so until now. This has made it difficult to receive and form young candidates for priestly life. This is partly due to the small number of diocesan priests. However, young men started to come forward, eager to live a priestly life. Thus, it became necessary to organize a propaedeutic year: a year of reflection, study, and spiritual direction, in order to discern one's priestly vocation. This essential year precedes admission to the major seminary.
Therefore, it was decided to open the Saint Jean-Marie Vianney Propaedeutic Seminary at the Episcopal See, in the facilities that formerly belonged to the Minor Seminary. The Rector was appointed for the first time on Sunday, May 23, 2021, and the Seminary began its activity on November 15, 2021.
The buildings of the former minor seminary have long been neglected and now there is an urgent need to furnish it.
The needs are grouped by category:
I. LITURGY AND PRAYER: Liturgical books: Missal of the Week, lectionary, breviary, Jerusalem Bible. Songbooks: Toyembani, Glory to God, Peace on Earth. Liturgical vestments: chasubles (according to liturgical seasons), albs, altar cloths, sacred linens. Liturgical objects: altar table, ambo, tabernacle, statue of the Virgin, oratory cross, wooden candleholder, ciborium; chalice, paten, cruet, monstrance.
II. ACCOMMODATION: complete living room, beds, mattresses, bed sheets, buckets, mosquito nets, furniture cabinets, shelves, small tables, chairs.
III. KITCHEN: kitchen utensils: pots, pans, kitchen knives, tablecloth, Tableware: plates, plastic plates, porcelain dishes, table knives, soup spoons, coffee spoons, ladles, glasses, cups, pitchers, bowls, trays, thermos flasks, cups, 25 one-liter cans. Appliances: freezer.
IV ACADEMICS AND ADMINISTRATION: Computer equipment: computers, printers, copiers and supplies. Library equipment: shelves, tables, chairs, filing cabinets, magazine subscriptions, books.
V CULTURE AND SPORTS: Audiovisual equipment: television set, full decoder kit. Soccer equipment: soccer balls, soccer jerseys, soccer shoes.
VI. MANUAL WORK: hoes, shovels, machetes, rake.
VII. MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE RECTOR: Honda 125 XL motorcycle.
